The Rockies' 41-year-old closer has pitched in 971 big-league games and faced 6,044 batters. He made his major-league debut for the Minnesota Twins on April 29, 1995, at the since-demolished Metrodome. That was just three days after Coors Field hosted its first game.

But Hawkins, apparently, is getting younger with each passing day.

Last Sunday in San Francisco, Hawkins' 95 mph fastball got the Giants' Gregor Blanco to fly out to right field to end the game. Hawkins has converted 14-of-15 save opportunities, and his 2.77 ERA is significantly below his career mark of 4.35.

"If I stay healthy, I can pitch forever," Hawkins said last week, flashing his 100-watt smile. "That's my thought process. I have been blessed with a right arm that has definitely defeated all of the odds."

Hawkins is not a dominant closer such as Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel or Cincinnati's Aroldis Chapman. Indeed, Hawkins has just 11 strikeouts and has walked six batters in 26 innings. Furthermore, he tends to work with a lot of traffic, something that makes Rockies fans shift in their seats. But while the Rockies' bullpen has had a mound of issues this season, Hawkins has been the one reliable arm.

"The closer's role is not for everybody," manager Walt Weiss said. "It takes more than pure stuff to be successful. It helps that La Troy is still running his fastball up there in the mid-90s. But I think what's even more important is how he handles situations and how cool he stays. I've been very impressed."

Rockies trainer Keith Dugger, who nursed Todd Helton through his 17-year career, is amazed by Hawkins, whom the Rockies signed in the offseason.

Colorado Rockies closer LaTroy Hawkins has been one of the bright spots for the team this season. (Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post)

"He looks 28 years old," Dugger said. "Part of it's genetics. He's blessed with that long, lean body. He hasn't bulked up. Plus, he hasn't had any crippling injuries, and he's leaned how to take care of himself. That takes all kinds of discipline."

Concessions to age

Hawkins stands just a shade under 6-foot-4 and weighs 220 pounds. He has a six-pack that a 21-year-old would envy. He eats very little red meat or dairy food, though he has been know to sneak an ice cream treat about once every six months.

"My job is baseball, 366 days a year, so I take care of myself. It's part of my profession," he said. "If you are going to play this game, you have to be able to match the young guys."

There are, of course, concessions to age.

"It takes me a lot longer to get going in the morning, but once I get going, I'm good," he said.

That's why, when the Rockies are on the road, Hawkins takes the 4 p.m. bus to the ballpark, not the 2 p.m. bus preferred by the youngsters.

"I ride in with the broadcasters and Egins," he said, referring to Paul Egins, the director of major-league operations, who handles the team's travel. "That more my style."

A pitcher goes only as far as his arm will carry him. Hawkins, who ranks 18th on baseball's all-time list of games pitched, realizes that he has been blessed.

"There is not a lot of stress with my mechanics," he said. "When I go out there and get fatigued, I can still go out there and perform. I know how to do that. Other people get fatigued and they break down."

After all of these years, Hawkins remains a power pitcher. According to FanGraphs, he's throwing his fastball 76.6 percent of the time, with an average velocity of 92.9 mph. He throws his slider 19.3 percent of the time at 87.8 mph. He'll also throw an occasional curveball or a rare changeup, just to mix things up.

"Hawk understands what it takes to be successful as a pitcher. That's why he's hung around so long," Rockies bullpen coach Bo McLaughlin said. "I lot of young guys, young relievers, overthrow, so they put extra strain on their arm. Hawk has kept his delivery together. He stays under control of his body and his delivery."

Fitting the role

And his mind. Hawkins has endured plenty of long, lonely walks off the mound. He has saved 115 games in his career and blown 59. Weiss said Hawkins has endured because he shares the mentality of an NFL kicker.

"Like a field-goal kicker, if you don't get it done, you usually lose," Weiss said. "Being a closer is not a role for everybody."

But it sure fits Hawkins.

"Baseball is a game of cat-and-mouse," he said. "I enjoy playing the game with hitters, and I'm sure they love playing the game with me. I just love to compete.

"I don't compete in other stuff. Not cards, video games or golf, but baseball is the competition that I need. It scratches my itch."

Hawkins and Dugger were in the Rockies' training room recently when Dugger noted that Hawkins is the last player from the 1991 draft class still playing. The Twins picked him in the seventh round out of West Side High School in Gary, Ind.

"Man, that was 23 years ago," he said, shaking his head. "I think it's pretty cool. The Rockies weren't even around back then."

Fine lines

Some numbers for Rockies closer LaTroy Hawkins, who is having one of his best seasons at age 41:

2.77

ERA this year, compared with his 4.37 ERA entering 2014

93

Percent conversion on save opportunities this season (14-of-15). He entered this season converting 64 percent of his save chances.

0

Runs allowed in his last 10 appearances, saving four games, giving up three hits and three walks and striking out five in 9 innings

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